Archives: Walk Directory

The Walk in Detail

The track leaves from the Mt Zero Picnic Area, past the picnic tables. Follow the yellow trail marks straight up Flat Rock. When the rocky track flattens out, it veers left beside the base of Taipan Wall through the spectacular Amphitheatre. The long steep climb out of the amphitheatre passes Bird Rock, then up a series of steps to a saddle and track junction. (GNP076). Take an optional side trip to Mt Stapylton.

Back at the signed track junction, continue along a rocky ridge incline and duck through the rock tunnel then beside a small, sheltered cliff face along a ridge through rock gardens and overhangs. The track becomes sandy and levels out through heathlands, to track junction GNP060. Continue towards Barigar.  At GNP200, the track intersects a fire trail and then continues through heathlands regenerating from bushfire. Cross Coppermine 4WD Track where there is a serviced water tank. Note that there are toilets in both campgrounds located nearby here (Coppermine Group and Coppermine 4x4 Campgrounds).

Ascend through dense brush and just before reaching the top is a good lunch point. Reaching the rocky platform, the path opens up across the plateau through open heathland then along the edge of the escarpment, as it heads south with views across the valley to Gar and Briggs Bluff.

After tracking along the edge of the plateau the trail descends, crosses a creek then descends steeply to cross Briggs Creek twice with the final crossing in a broad rock amphitheatre with a waterfall (after rain). It is then just 400m to Barigar hike-in campground, with its communal shelter and water tank and toilet.

From here, follow the signs to Roses Gap Road (3.9Km). Cross the footbridge over Briggs Creek and veer to the right, ignoring the gate. The track winds through open woodland climbing steadily beside the cliff, then along the ridge, until it drops down to cross Troopers Creek on a mesh bridge to Roses Gap Road and the car park.

The Walk in Detail

The walk is all on track and well-marked. The initial 3.8 km is a steady climb from Halls Gap to the Pinnacle lookout (475 m) involving lots of steps.

Great views as we climb, and at the Pinnacle lookout itself. On the way up to the Pinnacle on the rock slab there are yellow arrows painted or stuck on the rock to mark the trail.

From the Pinnacle we descend through Silent Street and make our way down towards the Wonderland car park, passing by amazing rock formations and rocky outcrops.

A number of points of interest as we descend: Bridal Veil Falls, Echo Wall, Cool Chambers and finally, the spectacular Grand Canyon.

Before reaching the car park we turn off and follow Stony Creek back towards Hall Gap.

A very short side visit to Splitters Falls (400 m return) can be made, and then on to Venus Baths and into Halls Gap.

The Walk in Detail

From the campsite, follow Dead Bullock Creek steeply uphill, crossing a series of ledges over which waterfalls may tumble after rain. Above the waterfalls the track continues along rock ledges, with each level reached by climbing rock steps.

From the Beehive Falls turn-off (GNP208), the track heads uphill on a sloping rocky shelf and then ascends a long staircase of rock steps. These have been beautifully placed but are not uniform height so some are quite high to step up to.

The next section traverses a stretch of rock requiring walking up and down some short steep rocky surfaces along the edge of the escarpment then through some eroded sandy tracks full of loose rocks to some overhangs. More rock steps take us to the Briggs Bluff turnoff (GNP209). Avoid this side trip.  A good place to stop for a break.

From here, the track descends to cross Mud Hut Creek. At the intersection GNP210 follow the Grampians Peak Trail to the right, up a series of rocky ridges which lead up to the summit. Between each ridge the vegetation looks like a rock garden with a huge diversity of species and in spring a mass of flowers.

A helipad indicates the campsite is close. There is a shelter, water tank and toilets here (GNP211).

Walk through the campground for 300m to reach the Mt Difficult junction (GNP212). From here it takes about 30 minutes to the summit. Whilst the track is not marked as well, it is fairly easy to see on a clear day. It is quite rocky and requires a short rock scramble to the top (GNP214).  A good place for lunch.

The walk returns the same way but everything will look different in reverse as the light and perspective will have changed.

The Walk in Detail

This walk follows the GPT. The track is well-defined, in good condition, and with good signage at all junctions. The surface varies often: sand, dirt, stone, steps, and an occasional rock slab. Boots with ankle support are advisable.

There is no water on the route, so an adequate supply is required.

From the carpark, follow the Fireline track for .9km to the GPT Griffin Trailhead. The first third of the walk is a steady climb to the ridge line. There are lots of steps and lots of view spots to provide excuses to rest.

The middle third has little shelter from the weather as the track sidles along the range, first on the western side, then the eastern side, back to the western side for a little further before returning to the eastern side. Good views along here and many vantage points to admire them while having lunch.

The final third has a consistent descent through forest until the ground levels out about a kilometre before the Djardi-Djawara campsite. After inspecting the campsite, it is a short distance to the end point on Cassidy Gap Road.

The Walk in Detail

This walk starts on the Grampians Peak Trail until reaching the base of Chatauqua Peak. It then mostly descends to Bullaces Glen before joining the Wonderland Loop Walk track / Splitters Falls Walk track before returning to Halls Gap.

From the Event Hub we walk through the gardens opposite and then to Mt Victory Road via the Botanical Gardens – take care with the crossing.

Start the climb to where a side track branches to Clematis Falls (that track is quite rough). After visiting the falls, return to the main path, which has three short segments where the gradient ranges from 13% to 19%. Proceed to a four-way intersection at the base of Chatauqua Peak, after about 1.5km. On the way there is a good lookout point on the second switchback.

Rock hopping / rock scrambling of around 300 metres to the peak is optional – only do so if surefooted and confident on rocks. The view over Halls Gap and countryside to the East is magnificent, as is the view towards Mount McIver to the West and the valley in between.

After returning to the four-way junction take Chatauqua Track (the one closest to the peak track) towards the beautiful Bullaces Glen. This is mostly downhill, with many rock steps to negotiate.

Proceed to the Wonderland Loop Walk / Splitters Falls Walk track taking care when crossing Mt Victory Road. From near Venus Baths the track climbs steadily and consists mostly of stone steps of varying heights. There are a few gradients of around 10% in the 1.5km to the Splitters Falls.

Return on the same track, then there is an easy walk back, via the Botanical Gardens, to the Event Hub. Ignore the Wonderland Loop track that branches off to the left across the creek.

The Walk in Detail

The walk starts to the right of the lookout platforms and follows a clear track downhill, marked with yellow arrows. When Mt Victory Road is reached turn left, watching for traffic, and cross the road to the marked track at the side of the turntable. Follow the marked tracks, heading downhill along Stoney Creek back to Halls Gap and the car(s).

The Walk in Detail

From Pohlners Road, we will take a track to the right at a junction and steadily climb up to the top of the ridgeline, with the track having a large number of rocky steps to negotiate.

At the 1.7km mark, we will link up with the Grampians Peaks Trail and continue to walk north west along the ridge across a vast rocky area with excellent views of the surrounding countryside.  After passing through an interesting rock tunnel, we will reach the Mt Stapylton turnoff and do the short walk up to the wind cave and summit where we will have our lunch break.

After lunch we head downhill along the GPT past Bird Rock and Taipan Wall until we reach a track junction at the base of the Amphitheatre and turn left.  This track is relatively flat with just a couple of rocky sections and links up with our original track just across Pohlners Road.

The Walk in Detail

The track is well marked in most places – follow signage carefully as some arrows are missing from the signs. Follow the Grampians Peaks Trail (GPT) from Halls Gap towards Venus Baths. The side trip to Splitters Falls is a good rest stop.

Return to the GPT and continue towards Wonderland Carpark. This section is steep and some rock hopping over creeks may be needed (the stones are well placed). There is some limited rock scrambling here. The section through the Grand Canyon is spectacular – no need to rush! There are multiple rock formations on the way, and the view opens up as you ascend. At the intersection GNP012 we take the shorter route to the left. Ignore the track to the right to “Gardens of the Grampians” (that is Walk16).

There are many places where good views are evident – some of these places are clifftops, and could be hazardous. The view from the Pinnacle is an iconic one for the Grampians. Lunch at the top is good, but exposed – better lunch areas are available before reaching the Pinnacle.

From the top, the track down to Halls Gap is well signed, and heads more northwards over a rock platform. Ensure you follow the yellow arrows stuck to rock, or painted on them – they can be tricky to spot. The track heads north along the high points for a bit, before descending between two peaks. There is a mixture of level walking, and metal or stone steps as you continue northwards. There is a sharp turn south just before you meet the Venus Bath track that you started on. The track from the Pinnacle down the face is less well defined for the first few 100 metres than the tracks at the start of the walk. Look for rock features Mackeys Peak and a rock stack just before it on your left as you descend.

The Walk in Detail

This walk follows the Grampians Peaks Trail. The track is well-defined, in good condition and with good signage at all junctions. For the first half of the walk the surface varies often: sand, dirt, stone, steps, and the occasional rock slab. Boots with ankle support are advisable. The higher parts of this section are exposed to weather. The second half is on a smooth dirt/gravel surface.

The walk starts at the Piccaninny carpark. After 100 metres the track merges with the Grampians Peak Trail and that is followed for the rest of the walk. The side trip to the summit of the Piccaninny is worth taking before the track drops down to the cross the Victoria Valley Road.

It's definitely up to the summit of Sturgeon. There are ample spots to rest and take in the expansive views: north to the Grampians, east and west to the plains below, and south to the summit.

From the summit, the GPT follows a route specially cut for it that goes along a north-west spur, then south and finally east as it descends to the plains at a road junction. Go right (south), through a gate after a few metres and onto private land. The walk continues through former sheep grazing country that is now part of some holiday cottages. Views back to Mt Sturgeon are impressive. Soon after crossing the Wannon River on a bridge, the track turns east towards Dunkeld.

After reaching a road, the GPT veers to the north side of a park for about 500 metres before turning south for the final 200 metres to Dunkeld.

The Walk in Detail

This walk follows the Grampians Peaks Trail and one of its feeder tracks. The tracks are well-defined, in good condition and with good signage at all junctions. The surface varies often: sand, dirt, stone, lots of steps, and the occasional rock slab. Boots with ankle support are advisable. There is no water on the route, so an adequate supply is required. Much of the walk is exposed to weather.

Follow the track from the carpark until it meets the GPT. Continue south-west up steep rock steps to the top of a ridge. Follow the ridge and climb to the exposed rocky summit of Mt Abrupt.

Descend many steep rock steps through messmate and tea tree. A sharp turn to the east and a 400m side trip takes you into the Mud-Dajug campsite for lunch and toilet stop.

Returning to the GPT we continue 3.6km to the Piccaninni track junction. Another side trip takes us along a well -formed gravel track to the rocky and grassy hill-like summit of Baingug (The Picanninni).

It is then a moderate descent to the end of the walk at Victoria Valley Rd.